Lehighton woman in 53rd year as crossing guard

Fran Haas, as she’s done for the past 53 years, helps Lehighton Area School District students cross the streets safely. Haas is currently in her 53rd year as a crossing guard. Visit www.tnonline.com for a video. TERRY AHNER/TIMES NEWS

The Lehighton Borough Police Department recently advertised for crossing guards and took to Facebook to post the following:

“Looking for part-time crossing guards. The borough is in need of coverage for various bus stops to provide safety to our children.”

The crossing guards must possess a criminal record check and PA Child Abuse History Clearance.

Applications must be picked up and returned to the police department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Haas said perhaps even more now than ever, crossing guards play a vital role in keeping pedestrians safe.

“With the traffic today, it’s terrible,” she said. “They just don’t care, they’re in a hurry.”

Her legacy

Coincidentally, Haas isn’t the only member of her family who is a crossing guard.

Her husband, Hilbert “Hilly” Haas, is currently a part-time crossing guard.

Before that, Hilbert spent over 50 years as a bus driver for the district.

Together, the couple resides on Cypress Street.

As she reflects on her tenure, Haas said she’s proud of what she’s accomplished.

“I think I did a good job all these years,” she said. “I’m proud because nothing ever happened at my corner in all my years.”

Haas, 79, said she plans to continue serving as a crossing guard “for as long as my legs will take me.”

“I thank the kids that I had; they have families of their own, and they stop at the corner and they talk to me,” she said. “They say, ‘you were my crossing guard,’ and that makes you feel good that they remember you.”